CV13

Shangwan

Star

上脘 (Shàngwǎn) — Upper Epigastrium

Ren (Conception) channel · point 13

Not yet clinically reviewed

Meeting point of the Ren Mai with the Small Intestine and Stomach channels

Traditionally used for

Digestion
Sleep
Mood & calm
Nerves & recovery
Heart & circulation

Location

On the upper abdomen, on the anterior midline, 5 cun above the umbilicus.

How to locate: With the patient supine, first find CV12 halfway between the umbilicus and the sternocostal angle; the point is 1 cun above it on the midline, 5 cun above the umbilicus.

Regional anatomy: Skin and subcutaneous tissue, then the linea alba, transversalis fascia and extraperitoneal fascia; the peritoneum and upper abdominal viscera lie beneath.

Distances are in cun, a proportional unit — how to measure.

Body map, front: CV13 · Upper abdomen — Fig. — CV13 · Upper abdomen After Albinus, 1747

The abdominal regions — Gray's Anatomy plate — The abdominal regions Gray's Anatomy, 1918

3D view

3D view not available for this point: its position on the 3D model couldn't be checked against its location text, so it is not shown. The 2D maps above show it.

Needling

Cited needling

Perpendicular insertion

Depth 0.8–1.5 cun

skindeeper

Depths describe average adult habitus in the cited population, never a single safe number for the patient in front of you. Palpate and adjust.

Sources (1)

Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 512 Supports: techniques (names this point)

Site notes · not cited

Depth: 0.8–1.2 cun

Angle: Perpendicular

Functions

Harmonises the Stomach and descends rebellious qi
Regulates the Heart and calms the spirit

Indications

Epigastric pain and vomitinghiccup and belchingdifficulty swallowingepilepsy and insomniapalpitations

Combinations Using This Point

Xiawan, Zhongwan and Shangwan

Three stacked epigastric points on the Ren Mai — CV10, CV12 and CV13 — used to strengthen the Spleen and settle the Stomach in digestive disorders.

Similar Points

Ranked by shared patterns and conditions

Neiguan how are these connected? Xiawan how are these connected? Burong how are these connected? Zhongwan how are these connected? Taichong how are these connected? Zusanli how are these connected?

Sources

World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region. Manila: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2008. (Location.)
Focks C, ed. Atlas of Acupuncture. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008. (Locating method and actions.)

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